Contact Details

Address:

Telephone:

Website:

Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury

Summary:

The history of Malmesbury, the hill-top town on the edge of the Cotswolds, comes to life through the Athelstan Museum which contains a fascinating collection of artefacts and explanation of local history.

Athelstan Museum tells the history of Malmesbury, an attractive hill-top town which lies on the edge of the Cotswolds, and the area of north Wiltshire that surrounds it.

Malmesbury was built on the site of a 2,800-year-old Iron Age hill fort and Athelstan Museum has a fascinating collection of artefacts and explanation of local history. The museum runs a series of short-term exhibitions so the displays are always changing.

Malmesbury is famous for its lace and its Abbey and the museum also sheds light on a number of interesting old Malmesburians, including King Athelstan, first king of all England; Eilmer the flying monk over 1,000 years ago; and Walter Powell MP, who vanished at sea in a hot air balloon.

With the help of its volunteers, the museum is able to open seven days a week throughout the year. The museum is generally open from 10.30am-4.30pm but during the winter months, Sunday opening hours are from 11.30am-3.30pm.